Knox County Regional Airport

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Knox County Regional Airport
IATA: RKD - ICAO: KRKD
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Knox County
Serves Rockland, Maine
Elevation AMSL 56 ft (17.1 m)
Coordinates 44°03′36″N, 69°05′57″W
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
13/31 5,007 1,526 Asphalt
3/21 3,900 1,189 Asphalt

Knox County Regional Airport (IATA: RKDICAO: KRKD) is a public airport located the town of Owls Head, three miles (5 km) south of the central business district (CBD) of the city of Rockland, in Knox County, Maine, USA. The airport covers 538 acres (218 ha) and has two runways.

Knox County Regional Airport serves the residents of midcoast Maine with commercial and charter aviation services. It is also a major hub of freight and mail service to Maine's island communities including Matinicus, North Haven and Vinalhaven.

During the summer months, the airport is one of Maine's busiest, with significant private jet operations bringing visitors to the numerous summer colonies in the Penobscot Bay region. The influx in traffic in recent years prompted the implementation of a voluntary night curfew on arrivals and departures between 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Owls Head Transportation Museum is also situated at the airport on an older (abandoned) third runway. It has a museum of antique autos, aircraft, and engines. During the summer special event gatherings are held for enthusists.

MBNA, the American credit card corporation that has substantial business operations in the region, owns a large hangar on the airport property. After its purchase by Bank America, MBNA has scaled back its Knox County presence though.

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[edit] History

Approaching the runway for landing over Ash Point road
Approaching the runway for landing over Ash Point road

The airport was built during World War II and was known as "Ash Point Naval Air Station." With the familiar triangle of runways (the third runway was discontinued in the 1970s) it was one of a string of military airports along the Maine coast.

After the war, it was operated by the City of Rockland until 1968. It was then turned over to Knox County and renamed Knox County Regional Airport. Since that time, the airport has been developed, the runways expanded, and an Instrument Landing System (ILS) was installed.

[edit] Airlines and destinations

Scheduled airline service is subsidized by the Essential Air Service program.

[edit] Charter

  • Penobscot Island Air (Charter and freight to Criehaven, Islesboro, Matinicus, North Haven, Swans Island and Vinalhaven.)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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